(This is the Atkins’ December letter with an update for January at the bottom)

SPOTLIGHT ON SLOVAKIA Praise God for an amazing visit with the Missions leader and his wife here in Slovakia last Sunday! At his initiative, we are now actively pursuing a true partnership in the gospel in the coming year. Pray that each of us would be sensitive to the Lord and His leadership in how we can most effectively partner together for the furtherance of the gospel and His kingdom here in Slovakia. Ask that God would prepare the hearts and minds of those whom he would want us to influence for His kingdom. Also, please pray for our church, Palisady. The church voted to not give each of our pastors a vote of confidence and we are now in search of a new pastor. Pray that God’s man for our church would be found and lead this flock to become all that God would desire for it to be.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

It is hard to believe that we have already been back in Europe for almost 3 months. I guess it is easier to believe, however, when considering we have moved 11 different times and lived out of suitcases for two months! Due to the length of time it has taken to secure an apartment contract (September 1, 2016), we are having difficulty getting our visa extended in time for Elise to have the freedom to travel out of Slovakia in October for a business trip on October 2nd. Please pray the Foreign Police would process our paperwork QUICKLY.

Back to Bratislava

Hello from our Airbnb apartment! We had hoped to be writing from our new place, but we will not move in until September 2nd, though we just heard the date could be as early as August 26th. We had no idea we would be met with a housing shortage when we returned from our eight month stateside assignment in Shreveport, Louisiana. It did make it easier, though, to choose from the only three unfurnished apartments we saw and that out of six realtors we contacted!

We would appreciate your prayers as we adjust back to life in Slovakia, consider how we can effectively communicate the gospel to Slovaks, who and how to partner with in the task of extending God’s kingdom in Slovakia, and how to continue providing leadership for our IMB Colleagues in the EURO Central cluster.

Old and New Friends

It has been so much fun to reconnect with old friends and make new friends. We have not seen some of these friends in over 12 years! It’s been wonderful to make new friends in the churches that we have visited and spoken in as well. Not only have our travels enabled us to see family and lots of basketball games, but have also afforded the luxury of us being able to get in touch with these friends once again!

Dear friends and family,

We hope all of you have had a nice celebration of Jesus’ birth this Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year of 2016!

Dear friends and family,

Pictured above is our first worship service at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. Thanks so much for your prayers for us and our family. It means so much to know that you are praying, and God is faithfully answering your prayers!

Although the reason for us getting together again was a sad one, we all so thankful to be with each other in our time of grief as we mourned the loss of Elise’s Dad, Kenley, but rejoiced in heaven’s gain! Thanks so much for your prayers as we continue to walk this road of grief.

Dear Prayer Supporters,

Four weeks ago, Elise’s dad was playing tennis. There is doubt now whether he will live through the day. Disease can take us quickly.

We are very sad and grief-stricken over the rapid decline of Elise’s dad’s health. What began as stomach surgery, quickly changed to cancer. to widespread cancer, to hospice care and terminal illness.

Dear family and friends,

Well, time definitely marches on and, unfortunately, I haven’t gotten a newsletter out for awhile. It’s not that I haven’t thought about it or thought about you – the hands just haven’t hit the keyboard to make this happen!

Dear friends and family,

We hope this year has already been filled with many blessings from our Lord Jesus Christ! Ours sure has been and we are so thankful for God’s gracious hand, His satisfying presence, and meaningful purpose that He brings to our lives.

  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Let the season begin! The Basketball season, that is! We’re looking forward to the holiday season as well, but we are REALLY excited about Bret’s new Basketball season at ETBU!! The first game is on November 15th and we will be watching at 11 pm that evening! Just look for Michael Jordan’s number and you’ll see Bret! (www.etbusports.com) Pray that Bret will be able to keep up with the rigors of both studies and basketball as this will entail a lot of travel. (Oh, and a girlfriend is in the mix now, too!) Ask for an injury free season as well.